Greater New Orleans

Auburn cornerback Chris Davis (11) returns a field goal attempt 109-yards to score the winning touchdown over Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala.Pursuing is punter Cody Mandell (29). Davis's 109-yard return of a missed field goal to beat Alabama was one of the Iron Bowl's and the season's most memorable plays.
((AP Photo/Dave Martin))

Big Cat Weekend is arguably the most important weekend of the offseason for the Auburn football program, and this go-around the program did not shy away from pulling out all the stunts.

Recruits deciding between Auburn and Alabama had no choice but to recall the 2013 Iron Bowl in which Chris Davis returned a missed field 109 yards for the game-winning touchdown as No. 5 Auburn upset top-ranked 'Bama.

One recruit that is weighing Auburn versus Alabama is Jonathan Ledbetter, who was on hand for Big Cat Weekend. Afterwards, the four-star defensive end told AL.com that although he's committed to the Crimson Tide, Auburn continues to try and flip his pledge, and is making progress.

"I had fun today, I enjoy (Auburn) a lot more after this experience," Ledbetter said after Big Cat Weekend. "I got to meet with the coaches and the staff on a more personal level outside of football today. It gave me more insight on the school and definitely puts them higher up."

NICK SABAN SAYS 'I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM' SIGNING GAY PLAYER: Michael Sam becoming the first openly gay NFL player to be drafted last month was bound to trickle down to all levels of sport.

Last year, Sam was the Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year, an honor that -- historically speaking -- tends to go to Alabama players under Nick Saban.

So when asked whether he would sign or recruit a gay player during the SEC meetings in Destin, Fla., Saban said he'd "have no problem with it."

Nick Saban, when asked whether he would sign or recruit a gay player, says he would because he's been on teams with "folks like that."